Russian tourists to visit Svalbard without visas

The Russian Center for Arctic Tourism, located in the Russian village of Barentsburg, has drafted and coordinated with the Norwegian authorities the itinerary of the first Russian Arctic cruise to Svalbard (Spitsbergen) Archipelago. Russian citizens will not need visas for this cruise, Rossiyskaya Gazeta reported.

The cruise will take place on August 2-7, 2016. Tourists will sail on board the Norwegian ship MS Nordstjernen via Longyearbyen, Sassenfjorden, Billefjorden, Mimer Bay, the village of Pyramiden, Petunia Bay, Adolf Bay, Nordenskiold Glacier, Skas Bay, Trygghamna Bay,Ny-Alesund, Magdalena Bay, Smeerenburg Glacier, Moffin Island, and the village of Barentsburg.

The cruise includes two nights in hotels. On the first day, tourists will take a walk through the Russian village of Barentsburg. On the second day, they will go to the Norwegian city of Longyearbyen.